This guide is for those who want to learn to research a bit more about their doctors. If you just hopped on here and haven't started from Part 1, you may want to start there first.
PART II - The Medical School Years
In Part 1, we went over the doctor's early years. We discussed the requirements for medical school, the MCAT, and the interview process. We also looked at some statistics on how difficult it is to get into medical school.
So what happens in medical school that seems to magically turn someone into a doctor?
Two Years of Basic Sciences
Medical school generally takes four years to complete. In most programs, it is divided into two parts. The first and second year of medical school is primarily classroom-based.
Some of the courses during these two years include:
Anatomy
Physiology
Histology
Embryology
Pathology
Pharmacology
Microbiology
Biostatistics
The list goes on and on...
A lot of students describe medical school classes as "drinking out of a fire hydrant." There's so much information to learn and absorb. To compare, most college students take 16-18 units a quarter. In medical school, students are taking the equivalent of over 30 units each quarter of high-level intense classes.
Two Years of Clinical Rotations
The last two years are filled with patient-based rotations. Here the students see actual patients while following a doctor. These rotations, ranging from 4-6 weeks, expose the students to the wide field of medicine. They would learn to take a medical history, perform physical exams, help in surgery, and write orders with the supervision of a licensed physician.
Common rotations include:
Family Practice
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Neurology
General Surgery
Urology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Emergency Medicine
Again, the list goes on and on...
The Boards
In between the Basic Science Years and the Clinical Years, students need to take the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). It is also called "The Boards" with a sense of dread. The test is administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
There are 2 additional parts to the exam. The second part is taken during the 4th year of medical school. The third part is taken during residency after medical school is complete. We'll discuss more about residency in the next portion of this series.
According to the NBME, from 2006-2008, over 95% of medical students (MD) passed each exam the first time taking it. That shouldn't mean that test was easy. Instead, it is more likely that the students studied hard for this exam because doing well enhances their competitiveness when applying for residency.
Costs
How much does all this education cost? According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, in 2006, the median yearly tuition at a private medical school was $39,413. By the time the student graduates, his/her total debt will be approximately $160,000.
The Medical Degree
After 4 years of school, taking the boards, and of course paying all the tuition bills, the student graduates and receives a degree to become a doctor.
Does this mean that these new young doctors can start seeing patients to bill them to start paying off their loans? Can the brand new MD charge for medical care?
Unfortunately, not yet.
Before a doctor can actually practice medicine, they are required to undergo further training in residency. Residency is similar to an apprenticeship. In our next part, we'll go over how the residency selection happens, the Match, and the medical license.
Jerry Kamp is a research analyst at the Trusted Surgeons Network. The Trusted Surgeons Network examines facts and data about doctors with the goal of educating and guiding the public to connect them with trusted plastic surgeons. Our research and findings are available for free at http://www.trustedsurgeons.com
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